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Multiple drug resistance in Candida albicans
R Prasad1, S K Murthy, V Gupta
1School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Acta Biochimica Polonica
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Researchers identified the Candida Drug Resistance (CDR 1) gene, which confers multidrug resistance by encoding an ABC superfamily membrane pump. This finding advances understanding of drug resistance mechanisms in fungi.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) genes are crucial for fungal survival against toxic compounds.
- Understanding multidrug resistance mechanisms in pathogenic fungi like Candida albicans is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and characterize a novel multidrug resistance gene from Candida albicans.
- To investigate the functional role of the identified gene in conferring resistance to various drugs.
Main Methods:
- Functional complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae PDR5 null mutant.
- Gene sequencing and nucleotide analysis.
- Protein structure prediction using bioinformatics tools.
Main Results:
- Cloning and sequencing of the Candida Drug Resistance (CDR 1) gene.
- CDR 1 confers resistance to cycloheximide, chloramphenicol, and other unrelated drugs when expressed in a sensitive host.
- CDR 1 encodes a putative ABC superfamily transporter with a characteristic bipartite structure.
Conclusions:
- CDR 1 is a functional multidrug resistance gene in Candida species.
- The identified transporter shares structural similarities with known PDR proteins.
- Evidence suggests the presence of multiple PDR homologues in Candida albicans with distinct resistance profiles.